NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2021
Star Women Sisters We Endure by Susan Stewart
EXHIBITS
WE ARE STILL HERE AND THIS IS OUR STORY
We are Still Here and This is Our Story is an impactful exhibit intended to bring awareness to our nation’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). This crisis is pressing and widespread in North America, yet its significance has been diminished for far too long. Montana has the highest rate of missing and murdered Indigenous people in the United States. There are currently 243 people documented as missing or murdered, but that figure is considered low because of under-reporting and inadequate data. Of these cases, 86% are unsolved. The fight for recognition and support continues. As a nation we have a duty to speak out against these injustices and to the widespread loss of human life.
WE ARE STILL HERE AND THIS IS OUR STORY
A group exhibit co-curated and featuring work by Indigenous women artists to honor and advocate for our nations Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

Jessie Wilber Gallery
January 8 – February 28
M – F | Noon – 5pm
Contemporary art, beadwork, and fashion design by: Della Big Hair Stump, Cedar Bulltail, Grace Bulltail, Wozek Chandler, Monica Gilles-Brings Yellow, Rebekah Jarvey, Carrie Moran McCleary, Salisha Old Bull, Susan Stewart, and Olivia Rose Williamson.

The Emerson has provided a platform for these indigenous women artists to share their stories through contemporary art, beadwork, and fashion design. MMIP has impacted the entire Indigenous community with too many experiencing losses first hand. We invite you to visit these exhibits, learn more about MMIP, and support the efforts to raise awareness in your local community and worldwide.
PORTRAITS IN RED
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Painting Project

By Nayana La Fond
Emerson Lobby Gallery
January 8 – February 28

The Portraits in RED series began as a form of healing and a means to cope and process with Nayana's own experiences with domestic violence. On May 5, 2020 while in quarantine, Nayana came across Lauraina Bear’s tribute image on Social Distance Powwow (SDP). Inspired, Nayana reached out to ask if she could paint Lauraina. What began as one portrait, “Lauraina in RED”, has become a potentially never-ending project. After sharing her work on the SDP Facebook page, she received an overwhelming response. She reached out to Natahne Arrowsmith to ask if she could paint her and her daughter, Yana. Then, Nayana posted an open call, offering to paint anyone willing to share their picture and story. She expected this to lead to one or two paintings. Within the first 24 hours, she received almost 30 images with compelling stories. She know that she needed to paint as many as portraits as she could.

Since May, Nayana has completed 33 Portraits in RED, with 20 paintings yet to be painted and requests still coming in. Nayana gives a print to each person or family that requests a portrait, as well as donating prints to select fundraisers. She uses profits from sales of the originals for supplies and creation of prints to continue this project.

This project is a labor of love; a mission to raise awareness and honor the memory of those lost. Nayana hopes her portraits will help those who are still here heal, and those still suffering find the courage to get help.

"You are not alone, you are not without hope, we are your sisters and we are here beside you." – Nayana LaFond

Artwork: Jaylynn in RED by Nayana LaFond
EXHIBIT EVENTS
Social Distance Powwow Red Jingle Dress Competition
Dates: January 22 – 24, 2021
Facebook Group: @socialdistancepowwow
#EmersonRedDressSDP
Winners announced:
Sunday, January 24 | 7pm
The Emerson and Social Distance Powwow are hosting a Red Jingle Dress Special dance competition on Facebook to honor and advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

Join the Social Distance Powwow group on Facebook and follow hashtag #EmersonRedDressSDP to view entries throughout the week-end. Help select the winning entry by "liking" your favorite dancer videos between Friday, January, 22 and Sunday, January 24.

Special consolation prize winners will be selected by artists exhibiting in the show.

Winners will be announced on Facebook at 7pm, Sunday, January 24.
Sponsored by:
Artist Talk & Tour
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2021
Time: 6pm
Join us and the amazing women artists featured in our current exhibit We Are Still Here and This Is Our Story to discuss their work during a live gallery tour via Zoom. Preregistration required.
Discussion Panel
Date: Thursday, February 11, 2021
Time: 6 – 7:30pm
We Are Still Here and this is Our Story is an impactful exhibition focusing on the very real crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. This issue is devastating all communities across Montana and there is something we can all do to help. Join us for a live panel discussion and Q&A with legislators and advocates from around the country who’s work tirelessly supports these efforts. Preregistration required.
FRIENDS OF THE EMERSON
Dan Simonds of Wampum Wear
Please join us in recognizing and thanking Dan Simonds for his continuous leadership and support of community, arts, and culture. Dan is the artist and owner of Wampum Wear, housed in the Emerson's West Wing. Our current exhibit We Are Still Here And This Is Our Story came to fruition with Dan's help.

Dan is a co-founder of the Social Distance Powwow, a Facebook Group started as a online forum for dancers, singers, vendors, and participants of traditional powwows to continue gathering amid the COVID shutdown. The Social Distance Powwow has gathered over 226,000 members world-wide since last March.

Learn more about Wampum Wear's Native American Wampum and other hand-made shell jewelry online: www.facebook.com/wampumwear
Join the Social Distance Powwow: www.facebook.com/groups/socialdistancepowwow
FEAST Raw Bar & Bistro
We are honored to be selected as this month's recipient organization for Feast Gives. Feast will give 10% of oyster sales on Wednesdays & Sundays in January to the Emerson.

Help us say thank you to Feast AND support the Emerson by ordering some oysters this Wednesday or Sunday! Find a full menu, online ordering, and reservation information online at www.feastbozeman.com
MEMBERSHIP
Start the New Year with Arts & Culture!
Start the new year by embracing the arts and creativity in our community! Whether you're joining as a new member or renewing a past membership, being a part of the Emerson is a great way help arts & culture grow! As a member, you help make new exhibits and art education classes for all ages available. Members, also receive special discounts and offers from participating Member Partner tenant galleries and studios.


Individual: $40  |  Household: $75
Premier: $150 (Includes a second membership to give as a gift)
More Information online: www.theEmerson.org